Morning all.
Tunisia might not be the strongest of international football teams but I bet that matters not one bit to Arsenal’s Omar Rekik who has received his first call up for his country. Having arrived at Arsenal from Hertha Berlin back in January, the 19 year old central defender, yes, another one Arsenal have on the books, must be immensely proud. Having been born in the Netherlands, I’m surprised he didn’t opt to represent Holland. Interestingly, Rekik has played just fifteen minutes for the Arsenal under 23’s before injury ruled him out of the remainder of the season but now he’s fit, his country are willing to give him his chance. Perhaps one to keep an eye on in the future.
Other youngsters playing for their respective countries this summer are Daniel Ballard, Northern Ireland and Karl Hein, Estonia. Daniel Ballard will miss Northern Ireland’s first fixture against Malta as he’s likely to start for Blackpool today in the League One Playoff fixture against Lincoln City which kicks off at 3pm.
It’s fair to say, Arsenal are well stocked with central defenders now and in the future. I’m sure David Luiz will be missed in the changing rooms because he’s a big character and a bit of a joker by all accounts but Arsenal have to move on and Mikel Arteta has to find a settled and consistent back five. Going into the new season, barring any sales, his options will be Holding, Gabriel, Mari and Saliba in central defence. Daniel Ballard and Mark McGinness have had successful loans but in League One. If they go out on loan again, it has to be with a Premier League club in my opinion and to a club whose manager will play them. Same goes for Omar Rekik and any other player heading out on loan again this summer. The lower leagues are a good starting point but they need to be playing against some of the best to test themselves.
Bellerin, Chambers, Cedric and Tierney the options at fullback but I think only two of the four will still be at Arsenal when the transfer window closes. Another area Arsenal need to address this summer is the goalkeeper, that is unless Matt Ryan returns and he hopes to if the NN headlines are to be believed. Surely Alex Runasson will be one of a number of players to leave during this transfer window.
I think most Arsenal fans would agree that are midfield needs boosting, as does our attack and in general Arsenal need more goals from more players next season if the club is to get into the top four. Our goal tally under Mikel Arteta has been dreadful.
Don’t forget, if you have any thoughts on Arsenal, or moans, drop me an email and we can discuss it on here. Thanks.
See you in the comments.
Good morning Rico,, some changes to the layout?
Morning Rico/Cicero.
Yes, the layout is definitely different but I figured it was just for me.
We will get used to it 🙂
It really is a huge transfer window for the club.
So many young, talented players that must be handled the right way or we could lose them.
There’s also quite a few senior players who need to be moved on.
Hi Rico and all Is their any news on who is replacing Steve Bould as coach of our under 23
Scott did you see the story that Ange Postecoglou could be coaching Scottish side Celtic I recon some 1st division English sides might start keeping an eye on him
Morning Cicero, Scott, Geoff and all.
New layout? I’ve not noticed. 😂😂
The layout changed early hours yesterday for me, it’s different for sure, but no ads popping up and that’s a big thumbs up from me Rico… 👍🏼😉
Geoff, Ange would succeed anywhere around the world imo.
He’s a superb manager with a brilliant football mind.
I hope he gets a chance in Scotland as that’d be a step up to England.
Mines changed now too Kev, I reckon the gremlins have been in… 😆
Eddie Nketiah is being linked to Watford, good move for him I think.
Brentford would be another good club for our loan players to consider although they’ll have a lot of money to invest, if they invest it in the team that is.
Rico, the layout is basically the same on my PC, using Microsoft edge, but is very different on my Fire tablet which uses android.
Mine keeps switching Cicero. It might be the very kind man who looks after the website design and other technical stuff is doing some work behind the scenes. A bit like Arsenal really, changes are needed. 😂
Come on Blackpool. Keep an eye on their keeper Maxwell, he’s meant to be really good. 21 clean sheets this season…
Now is a good time for any young player to show what they are made off during the break and and the transfer market just around the corner.
Trouble is Geoff, unless they play for their country, they’ll be basking in sunshine somewhere.
Evening Rico and the House.
I have been offline for a few days, I return to find
the new layout.
Thanks Rico its looking good.
Rico should Eddy join Brentford there will be 4 ex Hale End Arsenal
youngsters at the club Thats Josh Dasilva, Dominac Thompson and Finley Stevens,
I think we made a very big mistake in letting Josh go and he will be a success in the P/L At 6ft 3inch he is the type of midfielder we nead.
Kev still no news on a contract for Kido Taylor Hart
Pleased for Danny Ballard in the way he helped Blackpool win promotion and
I wish him all the best for the internationals.
But like all our players who are playing in June he will miss most of our preseason
At the moment we have
Preseason toure in Scotland from July 12th to the July 17.
we play.
Hibs on the 13th and Rangers on the 17th
The Emirates cup againts Chelsea and Spurs is on Aug 6th and Aug the 8th.
There is talk we are also playing Napoli after we return from Scotland
A Arsenal Xl is away to Hendon on July 30th I think this will be U23.s
Evening Rick, I’m not seeing a new layout.. weird.
Ditto re Dan Ballard, really pleased he was a part of Blackpool’s success today. I watched the game and he’s a big unit at the back. Thankfully he passed a late fitness test. Ditto re Josh, if he has a good first season in the PL, he’ll soon get snapped up I reckon.
I just watched the replay.
The emotion from both sets of supporters is just crazy.
I’ve never heard of Ken Dougall, the Aussie lad who scored Blackpools 2 goals.
Good on him!
These sides would be more than competitive in our A League, so it shows the divide between Aussie and English football.
I’m reading that Brighton are also in for Nketiah, maybe we can get a bigger price that the £15m that’s being quoted with a few clubs competing for his signature?
Yes Rick, no news on Taylor Hart is a worry the longer is goes on.
Kev, let’s do a deal-Eddie for Bissouma.
Scott it’s a shame that some of these younger players choose to leave our A league so soon for overseas instead of hanging around for a couple of years but I guess you can’t blame them
Hi Geoff,
I think they MUST go for their own development.
In fact, I think our A League is hindering our national squad.
Back in the day, Johnston, Kewell, Cahill and the like left our shores as teenagers to “make it, but now, the top kids seem to be taking the soft option of the A league as there is decent money on offer.
There are some ripper youngsters in Oz right now, but I reckon they should be heading to Europe as soon as they can to get that competition that allows them to be as good as they can possibly be.
Our football still mainly revolves around speed, strength and physicality, and the technical players are largely ignored, especially at the youth level.
It’s too “results driven” at youth level.
Coaches select kids who are bigger and faster to win games now, and not to develop footballers for the future.
Geoff,
I just had a look at Dougalls career, fwiw.
Left Oz at 20, went to a second tier club in Holland, then to a First division club, over to Barnsley and now Blackpool.
Hopefully, he gets a crack at the PL next season.
Scott I believe there are a couple of younger player now over seas playing lets hope that one day they make it in England and then come back to Australia to finish there careers . the biggest problem we have here is the media all ways show the negative stories about our a league.
True, Geoff, but that’s the media in general.
It would’ve been great to see Kewell, Viduka and Schwarzer have a season in Oz.
Good Morning everyone
Scott and Geoff….if the A league at youth level focuses on strength and speed and big boys instead of technical levels you will never see me there 🤣🤣🤣🤣 as that is the style which I dont know how to coach. And I always favour technical players over those who have just strength. Speed I love a lot, but not necessarily big players. And with the younger ages I prefer to focus on the technical skill and movement intelligence rather than just speed and bulking them up. I would hate that.
Morning all
New post up now
https://highbury-house.com/2021/05/31/ballard-or-saliba/